Adam (2009)

"Delicate and understated performances by Rose Byrne -- and especially a remarkable Hugh Dancy as the quirky Asberger's sufferer -- give the unlikely romance a quiet, realistic tone."

Amelia (2009)

"Amelia Earhart is known for being an aviation pioneer and, ultimately, a mystery, but the new biopic with Hilary Swank as the groundbreaking pilot has added a surprising new word to the mix: boring."

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

"Though chunks of the novel are missing, the film is, for the most part, a creatively and metaphorically successful synthesis of Dick's dreamlike themes and real-world concerns."

About a Boy (2002)

"A safe harbor for anyone needing relief from the season's cruder offerings."

Adaptation (2002)

"If the ending is somewhat deflating, the convoluted mind game that precedes it is crazy genius."

Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl in 3-D (2005)

"While the overall message is positive, it is not particularly powerful."

The Agronomist (2004)

"A compassionate and powerful tribute to a crusader doing battle with 'no weapon other than his microphone and a thirst for truth.'"

The Alamo (2004)

"While the PG-13 rating makes it impossible to portray the actual battle realistically, this could otherwise be the most 'accurate' version of The Alamo to date, which isn't saying much."

Ali (2001)

"Raging Bull is artistically superior, but the fight scenes in Ali are just as visceral and more technically accomplished."

All the Pretty Horses (2000)

"It's got gumption, by golly."

Almost Famous (2000)

"Will have the ring of truth to anyone who was there. Anyone else should enjoy the ride."

America's Heart and Soul (2004)

"The only way these pristine images could be more vivid is if they were in the large-screen IMAX format."

American Beauty (1999)

"Near-perfect."

American Gangster (2007)

"A cultivated and more temperate version of Scarface."

American Pie 2 (2001)

"The bittersweet subtext of young people grappling with adulthood, and the recurring appearance of Eugene Levy as Biggs' hilariously 'with it' and oafishly understanding father, helps elevate it from the pack."

American Wedding (2003)

"The humor is extreme and desperate."

An Education (2009)

"Scherfig and Hornby craft a portrait of an era whose innocence is overstated without resorting to sepia tinged nostalgia. The result is a snapshot of how we become who we become, as a vibrant and affectionate act of memory."

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

"The desperate and frantic slapstick of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is closer to hysteria than hysterical."

Angela's Ashes (1999)

"It is an anecdotal, nostalgic, crowd-pleasing coffee-table book of a film, neither shocking nor challenging."

Anger Management (2003)

"The prefabricated nature of Anger Management, which has jokes but little humor, makes it a comedy the way fish sticks can often be mistaken for seafood."

The Anniversary Party (2001)

"The relationships have the ebb and flow of astute observation and inspired improvisation."

Antz (1998)

"The voice acting is excellent!"

Any Given Sunday (1999)

"Kinetic, cynical, shallow, commercial and entertaining."

Apocalypse Now Redux (2001)

"Has sinew, conviction and the spontaneity of a deck of cards hurled into the air."

Appaloosa (2008)

"There is plenty of plot but not enough story. And the film unfolds in short scenes strung together that beg to be expanded into more detailed examinations of behavior."